Kebs destroys counterfeit goods worth Sh1 million

A Kebs official displays counterfeit goods confiscated in a past crackdown. The agency is mandated to develop and enforce the standards of industrial products. FILE PHOTO | JARED NYATAYA

Kenya's standards body on Tuesday morning destroyed contraband goods worth Sh1 million which had been netted earlier by its officials in a market surveillance exercise.

The Kenya Bureau of Standards (Kebs) said the goods - mainly stationery, tissue papers and other household items - were destroyed using an incinerator at the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH) in Eldoret town, Uasin Gishu County by its officials.

Speaking to Journalists after destroying the counterfeit products, North Rift Kebs Manager - Barnabas Lihema - however said that the agency had not made any arrests during the exercise but had warned perpetrators against dealing in counterfeit products.

“Kebs has netted stationery, tissue papers, ear buds and cosmetic products valued at around Sh1 million and today we are destroying them so that we can send out a stern warning to perpetrators who are busy spoiling our markets,” Mr Lihema said.

“We normally don’t arrest perpetrators on the first surveillance exercise because they may also be victims even though we warn them against selling the products...but we will prosecute them if they do not adhere to the warnings,” he added.

He indicated that Kebs is currently working with brand owners to help identify which products were fit for human consumption so as to ensure that local and regional markets are not infiltrated with fake merchandise.

“We are collaborating with our colleagues in the region and moving around markets in search of counterfeits and sub-standard products which fail meet the certified standards for human consumption. Many people are not getting the value for their money whenever they purchase such goods,” he said.

Mr Lihema said that some cosmetic products contain harmful chemicals like mercury which have adverse health effects.

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“We rely on consumers to tip us on things they suspect do not meet the required standards. It is not proper for people to buy things they feel are not good for their health,” he said.

According to Mr Lihema, consumers can query the Kebs system by sending a message SM# (Brand of the message) to 20023, after which you will get a message confirming whether the product has been certified by Kebs or not.

Kebs is mandated to develop and enforce the standards of industrial products in order to achieve production of goods and services that meet customers' requirements as well as global demands.

Kenya's standards body on Tuesday morning destroyed contraband goods worth Sh1 million which had been netted earlier by its officials in a market surveillance exercise.

The Kenya Bureau of Standards (Kebs) said the goods - mainly stationery, tissue papers and other household items - were destroyed using an incinerator at the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH) in Eldoret town, Uasin Gishu County by its officials.

Speaking to Journalists after destroying the counterfeit products, North Rift Kebs Manager - Barnabas Lihema - however said that the agency had not made any arrests during the exercise but had warned perpetrators against dealing in counterfeit products.

“Kebs has netted stationery, tissue papers, ear buds and cosmetic products valued at around Sh1 million and today we are destroying them so that we can send out a stern warning to perpetrators who are busy spoiling our markets,” Mr Lihema said.

“We normally don’t arrest perpetrators on the first surveillance exercise because they may also be victims even though we warn them against selling the products...but we will prosecute them if they do not adhere to the warnings,” he added.

He indicated that Kebs is currently working with brand owners to help identify which products were fit for human consumption so as to ensure that local and regional markets are not infiltrated with fake merchandise.

“We are collaborating with our colleagues in the region and moving around markets in search of counterfeits and sub-standard products which fail meet the certified standards for human consumption. Many people are not getting the value for their money whenever they purchase such goods,” he said.

Mr Lihema also cautioned consumers against some cosmetic products that contain harmful chemicals such as mercury which have adverse health effects.

“We rely on consumers to tip us on things they suspect do not meet the required standards. It is not proper for people to buy things they feel are not good for their health,” he said.

According to the official, consumers can query the Kebs system by sending a message SM# (Brand of the message) to 20023, after which they will get a message confirming whether the product has been certified by Kebs or not.

Kebs is mandated to develop and enforce the standards of industrial products in order to achieve production of goods and services that meet customers' requirements as well as global demands.